Category: Advice
7 Ways the Government Could Help Your Small Business
For business owners, it can be easy to think of the government as a giant hassle. There’s all that red tape you have to fight for necessary permits, then of course there’s paying taxes, certifying employees, complying with all local, state, and federal laws, and the list goes on. Still, despite the day-to-day hurdles that…
7 Key Keys to Building a Good Pricing Strategy
One of the most important and challenging decisions that you can make as a small business owner is how to set your prices. There’s a lot of work that goes into the number a consumer sees on a tag, or that a client sees from a vendor. Still, pricing doesn’t come down to an exact…
5 Steps to Take After a Bad Quarter
Staring down the end of a bad quarter can be tough for any small business owner. It’s easy to feel the anxiety creep in — is this a sign of a larger downward slide? Or simply a temporary setback? Quarterly results really provide an opportunity to evaluate where your business is going and make…
14 Questions You Should Ask Before You Get a Small Business Loan
Small businesses have more financing options today than ever before, yet navigating the maze of loan types and lenders can make it challenging to choose the right loan and the right lender for your business. The days when the bank was the one-stop-shop for small business loans are over. Meaning, business owners need to be…
The Pros and Cons of Hiring Remote Staff
Hiring remote employees can be an efficient and cost-effective way to solve problems for small businesses. For many business owners, knowing the benefits of remote hires can open up a variety of benefits, from cost savings to efficiency. Here is a rundown of the pros and cons of hiring remote workers. PROS Cost savings.…
Should You Sell Your Goods at a Flea Market or Crafts Fair?
Handmade crafts are enjoying a heyday in Canada. Etsy is seeing $2 billion in sales, which may soon be eclipsed by the fast-growing newcomer, Amazon Handmade. And brick-and-mortar markets are seeing a similar rise in interest. More and more consumers want unique handmade or vintage goods that display high-quality workmanship and offer an alternative to…
5 Tips For Keeping Your Restaurant Opening Within Budget
Opening a restaurant can be a thrilling time. It’s an act of passion and inspiration, creating menus and setting up a venue where the world can come and taste your cuisine. Still, along with all the excitement comes the stark reality of finances. The fact is that opening a restaurant is an expensive undertaking. Even…
Why You Should Be Optimistic About Small Business–Even If Wall Street Isn’t
For anyone in the financial world, 2016 has been something of a roller coaster so far. Markets falling, then rising, then falling again, without much warning and often without an obvious reason. When Wall Street gets anxious, consumers tend to follow suit, which translates into nervousness about small business. The latest survey from the National…
How the Military Prepared these Veterans for the Business World
Militaries equip soldiers with the skills to fulfill their missions and be great leaders in the process. But what happens when the military service ends and its back to civilian life? Business ownership is one avenue open to these veterans, and two OnDeck customers were kind enough to share their stories of how they came…
5 Keys to Control Marginal Business Spending
You most likely have a very specific budget for your personal bank account. Every dollar has a place, and every purchase has a point. But do hold your business spending to the same standard? It’s easy for small business expenses to add up quickly. If you notice revenues leeching out of your business, and you’re…
6 Tips for Productively Running an At-Home Business
With the flexibility wrought by the Internet, business owners in many industries can make the valid and cost-saving decision to run a company right out of their homes. But, as you’ll soon find if you’re new to working at home, the convenience of avoiding a commute can be threatened by the myriad distractions and productivity…
Don’t Think Office Safety Is Your Issue? You May Be Wrong
If you run a manufacturing or construction business, you’re well aware that on-the-job safety is a top priority, and you’ve taken steps to ensure safety and comply with federal regulations. For many other types of small business owners, though, office safety is one of those matters that gets attention once a year, or even less,…
Think Seasonal Business Owners Have It Easy? Think Again
It might seem like seasonal business owners have it easy. After all, they work hard for the few months that make up their peak season, then they can shut down and take a rest. Right? Not so. For those who know what it really takes to keep a seasonal business operating, let alone thriving, it’s…
No Incubator? No Problem. Use These 3 Steps to ‘Self-Incubate’
Incubators have been a secret weapon for hundreds of businesses. They offer a huge promise: take an entrepreneur’s idea, nurture it, support and educate the founders through the early stages, and at the end produce an ideal result: a viable company. Still, receiving the benefits of incubators has a few major hurdles, such as being…
Starting a Small Business? Make Decisions Like a Warrior
Life in the military is strikingly different than that of a startup entrepreneur, but there are many decision-making techniques they use in the military that could benefit entrepreneurs compelled to make decisions with sometimes less-than-perfect information. As we honor those who serve our country this month, let’s take a lesson from how the Marine Corps…